6 Questions you should ask yourself before joining a CSA.

NUMBER 1: Is having a relationship with a farmer important to you? Do you want to know where your food comes from?

CSA members want to see the hand that feeds them, they want access to great-tasting nutritious food AND to know the farmers and what their growing habits are.

Joining a CSA means that you are committed to staying with a specific farmer through an entire season, come thick and thin. You share the risks (unpredictable weather and/or pests) and tasty rewards (sweet carrots, deep green spinach, 1st fruits). The CSA members' motivation for supporting the farm is just as much about having the back of the farmer as it is about getting the full financial value of the share(this is HUGE).

So, where do you fall?

>Yes, I want to know and support the farmer who grows my food and where it is grown!

>No, it doesn’t really matter to me who grows my food.

NUMBER 2: Do you value having quality nutritious vegetable ingredients that actually taste good?

Real food. Food that tastes the way it should, because it’s grown with care in healthy soil with organic methods & picked right before delivery. In fact, CSAs often create food snobs, because once you taste how a carrot really tastes, you can’t go back to the watered down grocery store version. You are paying for that quality taste when you join a CSA. We choose top quality produce for you, not produce that was bought for a deal from somewhere you don’t know. If you are looking for a basic lettuce head and carrots at the cheapest prices so you can make an iceberg salad, then CSA is NOT YOUR GIG.

How much does taste and quality matter to you?

>Yep, 100% it matters to me!

>No, maybe not quite as much as the dollar value

NUMBER 3: Are you willing to try new foods?

While your box will include many of the popular vegetables, we can almost guarantee that there will be a vegetable at some point that you will have never worked with before. CSAs will help you try new foods & explore variety in the kitchen. No fear, every week we will help guide you with cooking tips, recipes and storage hints.

How do you feel about trying new veggies?

>Sure, I’ll give it a try

>Not so sure I’m into it

NUMBER 4: Are you looking for a “deal”? Are you comparing CSA prices to the grocery store (Walmart, Costco, Giant Eagle, etc…)

People who fully embrace the CSA model don’t look for their membership to be a “deal.” And they DON’T COMPARE the CSA experience to the grocery store price table. That statement is a key point! You can’t do a cost analysis of each vegetable you receive in your box and compare it to what you’d pay at Costco/Walmart. Our vegetables have added value because you know how it was grown and harvested. You know where we live and can come visit.

Are you looking for the best deal or for a new experience?

>yes, I want the CSA experience

>no, I really prefer to get the best deal possible

NUMBER 5: Do you like to cook? How many meals a week do you cook at home? Do you use vegetables and herbs on a regular basis? Do you like to experiment with new recipes?

Picking up a large box of fresh vegetables each week is exciting for those who cook often but can be overwhelming if you don’t have time to cook or you prefer to eat out. Are you willing to take the time to prep and plan your meals using the ingredients we provide to you? Are you willing to get greens (lettuce, salad mix, spinach, kale…) and root vegetables as repeats because that is what is available? Be honest with yourself about your eating habits and your schedule.

Are you on board with being in the kitchen to plan/prep?

>yes, I look forward to taking the time to plan/prep my food.

>no, I don’t really have the time to be in the kitchen and I enjoy eating out several times a week.

NUMBER 6: Are organic practices important to you?

Here at the farm we are investing in the long-term health of our soil. Instead of relying on chemicals to fertilize and protect our crops, we are relying on our natural resources (cover crops,egg shells, worm compost,shredded leaves, beneficial insects, etc) which in turn regenerate the land for years to come. We use compost and no-till methods to limit our soil disturbance. In other words, we let the soil do its job so that it can grow healthy vegetables for you.

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How'd you do on the quiz? The reality is that CSA is not a good fit for everyone, and you shouldn’t feel bad if it’s not a good match for you. The CSA member is not a “better” customer but just different in a way that matches the way CSA works. It’s best to go into a CSA with your eyes wide open and see if your expectations match the experience that a CSA will give you.

If you think you are ready, here are your next steps:

Head over to our CSA sign-up page(under the CSA dropdown menu) for the FAQs, pricing and other details that you’ll want to know about. Once you sign-up you will receive a confirmation email from us and we’ll begin the CSA 2022 adventure with you! I’ll make a mistake or 2 or 3 along the way because that’s all part of the learning process. I’m thankful for your willingness to partner with us!

If it is not the right fit you can always support us by placing an order with us via email or visiting us at the Slippery Rock Farmers Markets on Saturday mornings (not every week, dates to be announced)

-The Goodman Farms

Renee Goodman